Southampton, New Forest, Portland Bill Lighthouse

Left Easebourne on the South Downs and headed for Southampton.  Five cruise ships in the harbour along with a few container ships, ferries and tankers.  Very busy port, incidentally where the Titanic recruited most of its crew.  We visited the Titanic museum and found that every street in Southampton had at least one person die when the Titanic sank.  A very tragic link to this waterfront city.  As part of the tour we climbed the clock tower and were interested to learn that during WWII most of the buildings were damaged by bombs, as a result many were demolished completely with a couple restored.  A result of this damage was that most of the buildings in the town were rebuilt quickly and cheaply, subsequently the current town is very old and tired looking with little chance of restoration in the near future, makes for a very unattractive city.  It is a major port, both for pleasure cruises and import/export so the local authority are trying their best to instil some pride back into the city.  Good luck!!
We went from their to the New Forest.  Did a short walk along a babbling brook, had some late lunch and then drove towards Portland Bill Lighthouse.  New Forest is quite wonderful, the ponies are all over the place and have right of way over any vehicle, consequently it is a very slow drive through all the back roads we found ourselves on.
Portland Bill Lighthouse was probably the highlight of the day, such a rugged coast line, the sea was very calm so we had a pleasant walk along the rocks looking down on some stunningly clear water.
Onwards to our B&B in Martock (Yeovil), classy!!!
Again lots of photos, reduced in number because of recent complaints!!!!

Bargate in Southampton- the most complete town gate in the UK

New architect and cruise ships

Old City walls

Busy port

A very old church

The city clock tower, we climbed to the top

To there!!!

On the way up

Clock face from the inside, only a couple more flights to the top.

Happy walking in the New Forest

Lots of families, kids swimming.

Some of those New Forest ponies

With foals

Living on the edge at Portland Bill Lighthouse

Rugged coastline, looks like good fishing though

Crazy boys diving

B&B time in Martock